I have been doing some reading and have been attempting little bits of checkering on some blokes of cherry I found around the house. I was wondering if many people did it any more, what I would need to try it out, and if there are any good books available on the subject.
I just got some checkering tools from Brownell's. All I have done so far is try to touch up the checkering on my Marlin Lever gun. However the checkering was so crappy to begin with that I'm having a hard time making it look good. I also ordered a checkering video with my tools. It was the worst intructional video I have ever seen, so I sent it back. One thing I have realized is that a checkering cradle is essential. Trying to hold the stock while checkering is a no-go
A custom gunmaker friend and I did an on line checkering seminar some years ago and I have been asked to do it again. I am going to revise the original text somewhat, add some photos and do it on here if anyone is interested.
I am also going to be posting it on Huntamerica.
Chic Worthing
Posts: 4917 | Location: Wenatchee, WA, USA | Registered: 17 December 2001
I spent a couple of hours tonight on the Marlin's stock, and it is cleaning up rather well. The diamonds are coming up pretty good. However the lines were not spaced the same so I'm getting different size diamonds. I don't care though, it looks better than before and I'm getting some practise.
Hello, The fellow above is correct in saying that the book by Monty Kennedy is the best checkering book available. If anyone would like my checkering services, please visit www.checkering.com. I see that several of you are trying it on your own and having trouble with the line spacing. I can fix just about anything! I have been at this for 14 years and can tell you that it takes LOTS of practice. I checker six days a week, doing a different stock everyday. I have seen several videos on the subject, but they all seem to be lacking something. I learned to checker working side by side with a trained checkerer, for over a month, before I scribed my first job. It's something that I have come to love and would be happy to give you as much advise as I can. Good luck to those of you who are going at it alone! For those of you who get frustrated by the whole procedure, send me an email with your mailing address for an information package! Best wishes, Sherry Abraham www.checkering.com (503)632-4010 Mon.-Sat. 8 am to 7 pm
Only one way to do a good job of checkering. Simply remember how you did the last one! So get some tools and practice, practice, practice. You will be suprised how soon they start looking real nice....Joe
Deebee, it is very necessary. I know one old time stockmaker named Bill McGuire that does not use a cradle and never has. I won't even attempt to describe how he did it but it worked for him.
You will learn a lot faster and do more accurate work with one. If your cutter gets feeling dull,it may just be full of finish, clean it out. When it does get dull replace it. They are cheap. I pull the cutter in most instances. Mainly because you don't want to push up to a border, you will end up with over runs. Pull it and slide it back if necessary. Don't try to go full depth with one or two passes. It will take more than that.
Chic
Posts: 4917 | Location: Wenatchee, WA, USA | Registered: 17 December 2001
Posts: 8351 | Location: Jennings Louisiana, Arkansas by way of Alabama by way of South Carloina by way of County Antrim Irland by way of Lanarkshire Scotland. | Registered: 02 November 2001
DeBee - My Dorion power system arrived last night. I have been checkering by hand for a while now but this is a whole nother ball game. Frankly, it scares the hell out of me. Going to take some serious practice before I start hacking on a decent stock. One thing I figured out in a hurry is keeping the cutter parrallel with the work. If you rock it a little bit you cut a great big gouge in the wood. Looks real nice....
Posts: 1268 | Location: Newell, SD, USA | Registered: 07 December 2001
Bill, Guys I know that use power systems really like them. I have not tried one and don't know if I ever will. I describe by own checkering as crosshatching since that is a more appropriate term I'm afraid. People that are good at it could equal my checkering with a knife and fork! The only excuse for doing it at all is to say I did the whole gun. Sad but true. Regards, Bill.
